Alert: Catrachos Trap House | US @ Honduras | 2022 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying Match 3 - 9/8/21 10:30P

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOM

 

Really thought we'd be able to eek out a victory against Canada on Sunday. The mentality of the team has got to have taken a big hit from the events that have transpired over the last week. It's crazy how quickly the highs of Nations League and Gold Cup have fizzled.

Chance creation continues to be the biggest issue. Even in winning every match of the Gold Cup we never scored more than 1 goal in a game.

Defensively we've been fairly sound. I guess that's what we have to build on. We're the team that's hard to beat. That's just not what we were expecting heading into this octagonal.

Away games in Honduras are a nightmare. I do not have high hopes of us baggin 3 points, or really even getting a draw. Five points are 3 games would be lovely, I'm very fearful it will be only 2.

I'm ready for Pepi.

 

I think some of the issue - not that it means everything - is that very few of these attacking guys, despite how talented they are, are THE MAN at their club. The ones that are THE MAN are either at smaller clubs or still coming through the ranks. Pulisic is obviously talented but he's a role player on a UCL winning side. Reyna plays for a Dortmund team that features Erling Haaland. The list goes on. We don't have someone that just commands respect from opposing teams and in that way, opens up the space and opportunities for others. Teams then know they can just sit back, park the bus, and counter when they can. It's really going to take a different tactical philosophy.

The HS team I coach right now is dealing with this exact issue. We have a great 11-13 players. I like our starting 11. I like our possession. I like our ability to defend. We have struggled a bit to start the season simply because we don't have a pure striker or winger who can just score in bunches.

The USMNT is struggling with that on a much bigger stage.

 

Your last sentence is correct. Why play a gifted dribbler and creative passer in the middle when you can play Acosta or Lleget? Why play Ream's club partner at LB when you can play Barcelona's RB out of position? Shoot from outside the box? Crazy talk.

Berhalter has shown some growth then reverted back to his old tactics that were stale five years ago. He has the talent to get results but I'm not sure if he has the brains or guts.

You better pray you don't run into the mighty Canton McKinley Bulldogs. They're a machine, I tell you.

 

GGG really f'd up the in-game tactics and couldn't have done worse with his waiting so long on the subs. That said, I think we were hosed going into the game with Reyna being out and then for Weston being Weston. Pulisic was forced to be much further back into the play. IMO, Weston would have helped (might not have gotten us the win but would have helped). Coming out of the game, I don't truly understand what our game plan was.

So now here we are one game later. Nothing really has changed other than Dest also now being out of the game and we have a must-win game on the road in a place we don't usually get the results.

 

Grouchy point results are exactly why I can never bet on a team that I am emotionally invested with.

I throw sanity to the wind and root for 38 points. Honestly though, I am getting to the point where I would do unspeakable things just to watch a game where the offense doesn't run through the defensive back line.

 

Also, do we lose the bonus point if we have two players score more than, or equal to, two goals??

 

"Sorry, I thought it was a bubble party...."

- Weston McKennie

 

Reports are now out that McKennie left the hotel bubble to go out for the night in Nashville, and on a separate night brought someone back to his hotel room.

If true, wow. Just wow…

 

McKennie has the chance to be a great goal scoring and chance creating 8. Then he does this.

 

and if you believe the http rumors.....who we brought back to his hotel room.

 

"We"? This story keeps getting more interesting. Were you the beer chugger at the game too?

 

Freudian slip. lol. I'm not going to edit it just because it's just better that way.

 

Found out who he brought back to his hotel

The internet is an amazing place. pic.twitter.com/XwiXmYEmsH

— Andrew Das (@AndrewDasNYT) September 8, 2021

 

Asking for a friend...

But will we be bringing our own stretcher crew to Honduras?

 

The Spanish-language channels will join the USMNT game in progress about 30 minutes late due to coverage of the Mexico game.

If you have Amazon Prime, there's a discount offer (99c) for two months of Paramount+.

 

AO members can stream Paramount+ for the entire month of September for free and help AO Impact.

Here’s how to get your month:

1. Click here and select “Try It FREE.” (Note: To get the free month, you’ll need to use this link ONLY.)
2. Select any plan.
3. Sign up for an account.
4. Enter “OUTLAWS” (excluding the quotes) on the right underneath the subtotal and hit “Apply.”
5. Enter your billing information.
6. Click “Start Paramount+” and start streaming.

 

It’s $6 a month. How cheap does it need to be?

 

Anyone from Columbus actually a member of AO?

 

In preparation for tonight, what alternatives could I do for the $6 I'm spending and 2-hours of my time?

 

Literally anything else.

 

We are going to get beat.

And USSF will do absolutely nothing.